Enjoy the world one bite at a time!

Orchid Gardens, all-in-one resort in the Metro

When you hear Orchid Gardens, what comes into your mind? I honestly thought of a Green house, filled with exotic wild flowers and the pretty butterflies, buzzing bees and frogs, a couple of eggshells hanging from the tips of flowering plants (my Dad usually place those after cooking omelet every morning to his orchids before, I’m not sure if it helps though lol) and your Granny sweetly humming while spraying water to make the flowers bloom beautifully. A lovely picture. However, the Orchid Gardens found at Lazatin Blvd., San Juan, San Fernando, Pampanga is more than a Green House!

Will you be shocked if you can actually find a whole array of differently themed restaurants, a gaming center, a hotel, pools, an event center (soon, that will be our not so little secret, 😉 haha) and a 7 Eleven Shop? Divergent. I know, I am not even talking about the movie where lovers turned into siblings, if you know what I mean. 😂 Orchid Gardens really do exists and is just waiting for you to be discovered! Here is a quick guide, let me take that back, a thousand words with HD photos is not quick, so best to grab your coffee and take your sweet time reading about your next destination, Orchid Gardens Resort. 🤗

*The rates are posted at the end of the blog. 😉👍

Why not have your “huling hirit sa tag-init” at Orchid Gardens? It is an all-in-one resort with in the metro! You do not have to go that far to cool off from this scorching heat. You, your friends or barkada can enjoy 4 pools ( plus one private pool at The Tavern). There are 2 wave pools that will surely make you feel like you are at the beach! The waves last for 20 minutes, the interval will depend on the head count but the standard is every 2 hours. Mind you, that is not me jumping multiple times at the pool to cause beach-like waves, they have real machines that cause that. But I’m pretty sure that my younger sister would tease me about it no matter how much I explain about it since she calls me the “walking whale”. 🐋 Face palm. 😂 You can swim through those waves worry-free since there are multiple Red Cross trained life guards who are on the watch to keep everyone safe while enjoying their swim time! 🤗👌👍Kudos for making sure that everyone is still breathing above and under water! There is a regular pool available if you just want to laze around and just sit there for the whole day. 🤗😉

Me: I have heard that you have a jacuzzi in here, where is it?Laharhey, one of their accomodating staff, pointed to a bubbly pool. I found myself staring at a circular pool with a bunch of kids playing tag or something.Me: Well, that doesn’t look steamy?Laharhey: Oh yes Ma’am, we can request to get this bubbly pool go hot or cold depending to our guest’s preference.Me: Oh I see, that is why it’s cold then since kids are mostly the ones who play in it. Cool idea and very flexible!

I was actually tempted to check if it is a bit warm, because if it is, then something else might have caused it, if you get what I mean. 😂😂😂 Excuse me for the gross thought, we all did that when we were kids, if you did not, you missed a lot. Kidding! 😋😂Sorry Mama. lol✌😂

It will be necessary for you to wear proper swimwear. You can go from a rash guard, beach shorts, trunks, one- piece or two- piece chicken joy that we all love, kidding.😂 Just make sure it is something that can hold everything together when the waves go crashing at you. 😎 Also, you will have to take note that if you will just go for the Resort, you are not allowed to bring cooked food or to cook food inside. However, they don’t want you to go starving so there are mutliple restaurants and a 7 Eleven shop that you can go chow or buy your food from when you get hungry. This way the whole area is kept clean and in order. 🤗👍

However, if you check-in at The Tavern, you have the option to take in cooked food. What is The Tavern? It is the hotel situated right inside the Orchid Gardens. There are different rooms and villas available for you! You also have the privilege access to an exclusive pool for guests who are staying at The Tavern. Plus, you may also have the option to enjoy the other pools at the Resort if you are a guest at The Tavern.

You might be thinking ,” So they don’t allow cooked food inside, where am I suppose to eat?“😭🤔I will now take you to a quick tour of the restaurants that you can try when you visit Orchids Garden!Let us go to Imang Nene first!🤗😎

Imang Nene looks like your Granny’s house at first, just a modern one. It is a two-storey building which offers native Kapampangan cuisines. Who is lazy to change into dry clothes after going against the waves? Me! (This blogging thing is revealing too much about me. 😂😂😂) Worry no more! Imang Nene can accommodate dripping wet customers at the first floor of their restaurant! Convenient, isn’t it? I think I am too happy about that option. Lol You get to enjoy their delectable food no matter how wet or dry you are. The menu is the same anyway. If you would like to be more formal or do a casual dining with your family or friends, you can do that at Imang Nene as well. They can accomodate 100 pax for corporate meetings and also have 2 private rooms that can accommodate 30 pax each. Versatile, indeed. It is open from 7 Am to 10 Pm.

I like how homey and tasty their menu is so you can actually bring anyone here and you don’t have to worry if he or she is picky with food or if he is not the adventurous type since they offer dishes that are familiar to everyone’s palate. Here are a sample of some of the dishes that you can try at Imang Nene!

Lagat Pusu (Sauteed banana heart) (200 Php)If you want to go for a veggie dish, this can be one of your options. It has a strong tangy flavor, which is the norm. I like it since even if I am not a total vegetable fan, it has fried pork cutlets and shrimp on top so it is something that I can enjoy still. Thanks for being considerate Imang Nene! lol And yes, I ate a spoonful of this, but no, I did not took all of the toppings. So far, I am doing a great job, I think. 😂

Sisig Kapampangan (200 Php)Chopped grilled pork meat, liver mixed with chilis and onion. A basic in a Kapampangan table. A simple dish which is perfect as a viand or as a “pulutan” since you can also order beverages here at Imang Nene! Perfect for the boys! 😎

Imang Nene’s New Crispy Fried ChickenWhole chicken deep-fried and pressurized so you can guarantee that the inisde is juicy, but crispy as well! I like this one with their gravy which was sprinkled with Rosemary and some buttered vegetables on the side. This dish is new on the menu so better try it as soon it goes out!🤗😍

Kare-Kareng Baka (390 Php)Beef, fresh vegetables all in delish peanut sauce in a native “palayok”. This is the freaking bomb! Or maybe I am over reacting because Kare-Kare has been one of my childhood favorites?! lol But seriously, anyone who will try this dish will agree with me. The sauce is so pure that you can live by eating that alone with rice. hahaha The meat was so tender and the vegetables are still crunchy, fresh! Don’t forget to order this one! 😍

Imang Nene’s Special Seafood Rice ( 180 Php)This is the epitomy of “kanin pa lang ulam na“. hahah Each grain of rice is coated with crab fat! I was like, “Hhhhhmmm, this is orange not yellow so this must not be Java rice, what is it then?“. The super yummy crab fat is the culprit. 😂😍 Mussels and strips of crab sticks tossed here and there, this rice is so tasty! Try it as soon as you can!🤗

It Is the first building that you will see when you get to Orchid Gardens. I like how modern and sleek it is from inside and outside. It is mostly walled with glass so you can see the amazing interior.

Apparently, the 2-storey building serves Thai dishes at the first floor and Japanese food at the second. However, you can mix up your orders where ever you are seated since they only have a single menu, so all good! They have two shrines as well to show respect and for blessings so you can feel like you are in a different place as soon as you step in.

There are seats for families, couples, and a Washitsu. Washitsu is a “tatami room” where in you can have more privacy so it is best for confidential meetings or corporate discussions. It is definitely for everyone!

Pam Pia Sot (Fresh Thai Spring rolls) (210 Php)Fresh vegetables, glass noodles and shrimp wrapped in rice paper with peanut sauce. Totally yum! I love peanut butter so the sauce is definitely a yes for me! I ate a slice with the cilantro leaves inside ( I just needed to emphasize that just in case my Mom is reading this as of now). 😎😂

Tom yum Goong (350 Php)Spicy-sour soup with prawns, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and coconut milk. I like this one because it kinds of open my taste buds for flavors. You will notice the fresh kaffir lime leaves floating.

I asked on how do they manage to get fresh ingredients since it is quite evident that the authenticity and flavor of the food that they serve is kept. Sir Gil said that they actually maximize local agricultural businesses by asking them to plant certain herbs and spices. I was completely amazed! That is also good business for our local farmers! Kudos to that! 😎👍 By the way, I actually used my fingers to eat the prawns, forgive me Mom, it’s finger-licking good. Lol I washed my hands, I think. 😂

Phad Thai (320 Php)Stir-fried rice noodles wih shrimp, egg, beansprouts and tofu. Add ground nuts or Nam Pla Prik to spice things up! If Filipinos use soy sauce most of the time, Thais use fish sauce for their dishes. Nam Pla Prik is usually a mixture of chili, fish sauce, lime juice and a bit of garlic.

I am not a usual noodle fan since I love rice more than anything else but this one, I love! 😍 The noodles is very light, a bit sticky, but firm. The sauce and toppings makes each bite interesting. It got this crunch at some point which I enjoyed. I made sure to have my second serving! I will come back for that!

Khao Neow Ma Muang (240 Php)Steamed glutinous rice with coconut milk, topped with yellow ripe mango and drizzled with roasted sesame seeds. I sounded like a purring cat when I read the name at first.🐱😂 I am sure you tried reading it and you must have sounded the same. I can not get it right in one go until now. Hahahhaha But that is alright, we all need practice to sound Thai next time we order it.🐈😂

This is categorized as dessert however, it reminds me of our local “suman” so I think I can enjoy this one for breakfast as well! It is so good that I wouldn’t mind having it first thing in the morning! Must try! 🤗

Ebi Tempura! (300 Php for 5 pcs.)This is shrimp tempura with sauce. I just needed to put an exclamation point for this one since it is one of my all time favorites so I will be biased for this one. You just have to order it, simple as that. 😂😍

Bristol Salmon Roll ( 350 Php for 8 slices)Sushi slice topped with tasty salmon slices and tobiko (flying fish roe) which comes with mustard sauce, shrimp tempura and kani inside. The salmon melts in your mouth so I barely chew when I ate it. 😍There were 5 of us but I ate most of it. Oisshiiiiii 💗

Gomoku Ramen (300 Php)Home made noodles with seafood base, with bits of chicken, fish and vegetable slices. They were resourceful enough to make their own noodles since they have their very own noodle maker, how cool is that? 😎This dish is perfect for the rainy days and is a comfort food. My Mom will surely like it since it is very healthy as well! I was like, “oh Naruuutoooo!”. Childish, I know. Lol Kids will like it as well since the flavor is not very strong. This dish is for everyone!🤗

Pandan Juice (50 Php)A very refreshing drink flavored with pandan and topped with Chia seeds. Yep, I was amazed to see those eyes again. Desiny? Lol I think, I was too loud about it that I was like, “ uuuuuy, may eyes ulet!”, so everyone laughed heartily with me. 😂 This one is something that you will have again and again and again and again… 😍

Take note that you will notice chili symbols on the side of some dishes found on the menu. I actually thought they were quotation marks, hahahah, but apparently, those are symbols on how hot and spicy the dish is. You have the option to request for it to go from hot🌶, mild🌶🌶, extra hot🌶🌶🌶. We just went with hot and yeu hah, I don’t think I will go any further than that. 😂 You can try them though!🤗💗

Carnivore? Why not try URACK?!

This place is two thumbs up for me! They offer amazing steaks, chicken dishes and many more! I tried their baby back ribs with an Apple flavored beverage and I had no regrets! The meat falls of the bone, no kidding! 😎😍

Another thing that I like about this place is that they have available boardgames and other toys for kids and for kids at heart and mind like me! hahaha

At least, they are not stuck with their iPads or other gadgets while eating and this will promote quality time! Freaking awesome!😎 This is great for families, all-boy night out, or barkada trip! Visit it as soon as you can! May I join?😍

Look! Even babies hang out in here. 😎😅😂

What else can you find at Orchid Gardens? If you want a cozy time alone, with your date or friends, you may try Matti’s Cafe! This is a cafe situated with in Orchid Gardens. Right next to it is, Tactics, a gaming center for all the techy and cool gamers out there! Of course, 7 Eleven! You can go to this store if you just want to get chips, drinks and other necessities and if you are on a tight budget. 😉 By the way, just in case The Tavern is already full, you don’t have to worry because you can also check in to a nearby motel, Mystic Lane, ( just 5-minute walking distance from the Orchid Gardens). Like their page to see their current promotions and pricing!

Soon to open is The Forum and The Orchidarium, Event Centers that can host weddings, corporate parties and many more! It is still under construction when I checked it out but guess what, 7 weddings have been booked already! I was like,” It is not yet fully constructed and furnished but guests are lining up for it! Wooow! This is something that we should watch out for!“. So let us all stay tuned and wait for this amazing place to be done!

Orchid Gardens Resort is an amazing, convenient and accessible all-in-one resort with in the metro that everyone can enjoy! The style and concept of this place is contemporary but the material application is more on natural materials like stones and wood according to its architect, Mr. Carlo Aguas. I love the innovative idea because this place allows you to relax and have fun while you are with in the city so it is hassle free! 🤗Orchid Gardens has more new and inventive projects soon to make sure that it has something to offer to everyone! We all better watch out for those!

The staff, as a whole, is very accommodating and eager to assist clients. They thoroughly assisted me with checking out the whole complex and was patient with my inquiries. Excellent customer service! Keep it up! Sir Gil Velasco, their General Manager, was the one who invited me to see this awesome place. I appreciate the warm welcome and the fact that he values what bloggers can do. More power to everyone! I see great management values and principles are applied so to anyone who is planning to visit Orchid Gardens Resort, you are in good hands. 😉

Why not bring your friends and loved ones for a swim or a different dining experience at Orchid Gardens soon and just agree with all the 3,000+ words that I said above? It is something that you should not miss! Trust me.😉